Halak activated, expected to start vs. Kings

Credit: UPI

St. Louis Blues Matt D'Agostini (L) works the puck as Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak of Slovakia defends during practiceat the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on January 16, 2013. The Blues strike-shortened season begins with a home game on January 19. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

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(HockeyStL) -- Jaroslav Halak has been activated from the injured reserve and will start Monday against the Kings, the Blues announced Sunday.

After a 6-5 shootout loss Saturday, Ken Hitchcock said, if healthy, Halak or Jake Allen will start in the team’s next game instead of the struggling Brian Elliott.

“A goalie is no different than a defenseman or a forward,” Hitchcock said. “Guys come in and out of the lineup based on their performance. You can’t stay in the lineup if you don’t perform well. I don’t care who you are so (Elliott has) got to play better.”

Halak, who suffered a lower-body injury, has not played since leaving early against the Red Wings in a 5-3 loss February 1.

The Blues have allowed 16 goals in its last three games, all losses, without Halak.

In five games this season, Halak has posted a 3-0-0 record with a 2.10 goals against average and a .889 save percentage.